Position Descriptions

2018/8/30

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

ALTs are placed in public schools or boards of education and work with Japanese teachers to help plan and lead English lessons. Over 90% of the Program's participants are ALTs and they play an important role in promoting internationalization and English language education in Japan. Japanese language ability is not required for this position.

Standard ALT Duties

  • Team-teach with Japanese teachers of English
  • Assist in foreign language education at elementary schools
  • Prepare supplementary teaching materials
  • Train Japanese foreign language teachers.
  • Assist in extracurricular clubs and activities
  • Share language and cultural knowledge with others.
  • Assist with or help judge foreign language speech contests.
  • Participate in local international exchange activities.
  • Other duties as specified by your contracting organization.

Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)

CIRs are engaged in a wide variety of international activities which can include translating documents, interpreting for visiting dignitaries, planning and assisting in international events, and much more. . CIRs are placed in local government offices throughout Japan. Applicants for this position MUST have a strong command of the Japanese language. (Roughly at N2 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or above).
 

Standard CIR Duties

  • Translate documents and materials from English into Japanese or from Japanese into English.
  • Plan, design, and implement international exchange programs and events.
  • Assist in hosting official guests from abroad.
  • Interpret for overseas guests and local foreign residents.
  • Providing language instruction for local employees or residents.
  • Assist with sister-city/state relations.
  • Assist with regional internationalization efforts.

Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA)

SEAs work for local governments, coaching and promoting internationalization through the universal language of sports. SEAs are sports professionals whose role is to assist with sports training and the planning of sports related projects. SEAs are recruited on an as-needed basis and thus are not part of the standard JET Program application process.

Requirements

There are no requirements for course of study (major) at college for either the ALT or CIR position; all majors are welcome to apply. The list of requirements is as follows:
 
  1. Be both mentally and physically healthy
  2. Be able to adapt to living and working in Japan
  3. Have a Bachelor’s degree by the designated date prior to departure (ALT applicants may instead have a certification of completion of a three-year course to teach at primary/elementary or secondary schools by the designated)
  4. Be a citizen of the United States by the application deadline (If you are not a U.S. citizen please contact the embassy of Japan in your home country for information. If you possess dual citizenship with Japan and the U.S. you must renounce your Japanese citizenship before accepting a position on the JET Program)
  5. Have excellent standard pronunciation, rhythm, intonation in the English language and strong writing skills and correct grammar usage
  6. Not have participated in the JET Program in the past 3 years or for a total of 5 years or more
  7. Not have declined a position with the JET Program in the last program year after receiving notification of placement
  8. Not have lived in Japan for a total of 6 or more years in the past 10 years
  9. Be interested in Japan and desire to deepen your knowledge of Japan; be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community; make effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan
  10. Have a desire to maintain relations with Japan, even after completion of the Program
  11. Agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Act when entering Japan for the purpose of JET Program participation
  12. Obey all Japanese laws
  13. Have finished any periods of probation and/or paid any fines by the application deadline if a jail term was suspended
 

In addition to 1 through 13 above, ALT applicants should also:

  • Be interested in the Japanese education system and English language instruction in Japan
  • Be interested in working with children
  • Have qualifications as a language teacher or be motivated to learn about teaching of English as a foreign language.
 

In addition to the above 1 through 13, CIR applicants MUST:

  • Have a strong, functional command of the Japanese language (ability equivalent to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test [JLPT] Level N1 or N2 is desirable). If you are considering applying for the CIR position we recommend you look over the JLPT guidelines and sample questions to determine your ability. You are not required to have passed the JLPT N1 or N2, but should have the skills to do so.  

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